Each day, over 800 women die from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth. And every two minutes, a child dies from malaria.
Not only are these statistics tragic and staggering but they’re also incredibly frustrating because many of the basic needs that can improve the health of mothers and children—things like medications and vaccinations—are out of reach for many of them.
That’s why, on May 5, hundreds of experts and advocates for the health and wellbeing of women and children are joining forces to prove that small actions can lead to big changes at the fourth annual Moms+Social Good gathering, an event created by the United Nations Foundation in partnership with Johnson & Johnson.
The goal: draw attention to some of the greatest challenges facing women and children around the world, and help inspire parents to take action by connecting them to leading experts—and each other.
“We look forward to a world where every girl has a chance to receive an adequate education, where every mother has the medical support necessary to minimize the complications of pregnancy and childbirth, and where children across the globe have access to the healthcare needed for a long and happy life,” says Debra Bass, President of the Global Baby Franchise at Johnson & Johnson and a speaker at the Moms+Social Good event.
This year, several heavy-hitter speakers will take to the stage at Moms+Social Good, including Samantha Power, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations; Caryl M. Stern, President & CEO of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF; and Carolyn Miles, President of Save the Children.
There will also be hundreds of other movers and shakers in attendance—influential and passionate mom and dad bloggers from across the country.
So we decided to pose one key question to some of these bloggers in anticipation of the event’s kickoff: What do you wish were true for every child everywhere?
From basics that many of us take for granted to more lofty visions, here’s what just a few of them wished for the littlest citizens around the world.
“My wish for all children is to grow up wiser, stronger, healthier and happier than ever before—and to have more opportunities now and in the future. Every child deserves to remain free from sickness through good healthcare and vaccinations. My other wish is that all children receive an education, so they can get every chance to meet their potential.”
— Holly Rosen Fink, The Culture Mom
“What I wish for all children now and in the future: to have at least one champion in their corner. In my life—first as teacher, then as a mom, and now as a counselor and advocate—I try hard to convey to the kids in my life that I believe they are valuable and possess within themselves all that they need to be great.”
— Cristie Ritz-King, Reinvention Girl
“I wish every child could go to sleep each night in a secure home knowing that they will wake up to a safe drink of water, a healthy breakfast and easy access to an excellent school.”
— Matt Schneider, City Dads Group
“I wish our children were encouraged to spend more time outdoors on the playground—and were thrust into a wide variety of experiential learning opportunities. My children and so many others need to dabble in creative ways to play.”
— Lance Somerfeld, City Dads Group
“My wish for children now and into the future is for them to know that they are deeply loved. When my best friend found out she had breast cancer, I saw firsthand how my friend gave her all to parenting her daughter in the time they had together, creating a legacy of letters, videos and other messages, so her daughter would grow up feeling her love always.”
— Emily McKhann, The Motherhood
“I wish all children had the opportunity to safely play. Play is the chief way that young children learn, discover themselves and develop social skills. As a young girl growing up in India, I remember how playing with other children was a great equalizer. The status and position of our parents was never the determining factor for how much fun we could have together.”
— Maria Colaco, The New York Mom
